Christmas & Boxing Day

Well, that's Christmas over for another year. 

Drove up to Carlisle from Gloucester with Marilyn on Christmas Eve to stop with Dad and Aunty Jean. A big storm had passed by the day before so we were expecting lots of disruption, but we made 90% of the journey in beautiful sunshine along quiet roads. Made it up in record timing, though the heavens opened as soon as we got to Cumbria.

Spent Christmas Day at my cousin Craig's. His partner Lynne puts on a huge spread and we ate and drank ourselves daft before snuggling down in front of the fire.

That's the best chair in the world. It's like curling up in a giant nest.

On Boxing Day we decided to walk off some of the excess food and alcohol at Ullswater. Heavy rains meant that the water was very high and you couldn't get far round.

(Panoramic. Click to enlarge.)

 

We also stopped off at the top of Aira Force, one of the Lake District's waterfalls, for a wander.

(Panoramic. Click to enlarge.)

Went for drinks at my other cousin Daren's last night, and the final of the trio, Shaun, popped round for tea this morning. 

Family loved, it's time to leave. Driving back down for a quiet New Year, just me, Marilyn and the local wine bar. Rather looking forward to it. Was going to go and see Paul in Alva but last time I ended up staying three months and right now I need to save all my pennies for the year ahead. Planning to renew my passport and head off adventuring.